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With the extraordinary changes brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, many families have made substantial adjustments to their lifestyles. These sudden and unfamiliar shifts can be stressful, especially when everyone is cooped up at home. Family therapy can help parents manage together, and and talk with their children about their concerns to work together to make the most of these challenging times. At home, parents must find ways to juggle their child’s virtual learning as well as their own unique work situations. The guide below offers tips to maintain a safe, healthy environment for your family during our COVID-19 era.

How to Talk to Your Child About COVID-19

Consider Their Age

Hearing COVID-19 talk can be confusing and scary for kids without context, so it is recommended for parents to have open conversations with their children to soothe any worries that may arise and keep kids informed. It is encouraged to use language that’s appropriate for your child’s age and development level. Children are unlikely to understand everything there is to know about COVID-19, which makes it more frightening to them.

Giving them concepts they can grasp can be an effective approach. For example, most young children are unfamiliar with words like “pathogen” or “quarantine.” Absolutely you can explain these terms if your child asks, but trying to keep the explanations simple will likely be most helpful. Emphasize that COVID-19 is making a number of people sick and that schools and health experts are working hard to help everyone stay safe and healthy.

Ask What They Know

With the constant stream of news and commentary, your child has likely heard quite a bit about the pandemic. You might ask them what they know before beginning the conversation. From there, addressing their concerns directly or doing some research to ensure what they heard is accurate.

Please be aware that too much exposure to a crisis of this scale can be frightening and potentially anxiety-inducing in young children. If your child seems to be absorbing a lot, consider reducing their screen time.  Always monitoring their social media usage to filter what they hear is also recommended. You’ll want to be proactive about shutting down potentially harmful and incorrect information.

Discuss Important COVID-19 Facts

family therapyLet your child know that the virus is often spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, but you can teach them how to reduce the risk of infection. Habits like washing your hands with soap and water often, and staying six feet apart from people who don’t live in your household can protect them and others. 

To help your child remember these tips, you could use guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create a checklist. You can hang these tips in their bedroom, on the fridge, and by the entryway of your home to provide helpful reminders. 

Be Honest But Positive

Let your child know that they can come to you with questions, and try to answer them as honestly as possible. It is encouraged to avoid hiding information just because it might be scary. You may come across touchy topics, but being open helps your child avoid misinformation and gain a better understanding of the situation.

Keeping a positive tone is also helpful. Staying away from accusatory language about others will avoid leading to any potential stigma. Instead, keeping calm and reassuring your child that they’re safe is recommended. Children often mimic the behaviors and thoughts of their parents, so staying optimistic will give them a better outlook. 

Use Your Resources

There is an endless stream of COVID-19 content coming out as the days go by. While it may seem overwhelming, this abundance of information means you have a lot of resources to work with.

family therapyIf you’re having trouble explaining a certain concept or need advice on how to help your child, reliable sources like the CDC have guides and tips for a variety of topics. Help is also available offline. With individual and family therapy, parents and children can learn to cope with the challenges of the pandemic and become closer than ever.

Adjusting to Online Learning

Communicate With Teachers 

As best as possible, staying in contact with your child’s teachers throughout the school year is crucial. Your child may be learning at home, but that doesn’t mean you will be able to see their progress.  Everyone is more busy than ever, so exercising patience in communication is encouraged.

Teachers often invite questions and concerns, and be prepared to work with them to find solutions will be welcomed. They can track your child’s academic performance, and you can see how they’re handling virtual learning. With both perspectives, you can create a more personalized learning plan that suits your student’s unique needs.

Check In With Other Parents

The parents of other students are just as new to this experience as you are, so working together to figure it out as a community can help everyone. Asking the teacher for parent contact information or reaching out via social media would be ideas. You could share strategies for homeschooling, ask questions about the curriculum, and organize virtual study groups to keep your child connected and learning with their peers.

Create a Learning Space

Kids can get easily distracted when learning from home. Creating a designated learning space where they can work without interruption, preferably out of sight from cozy beds, the television, and video games is strongly encouraged.

family therapyYou might: make sure the area is quiet and comfortable, and try to keep pets out of the room and limit cell phone use during lessons, study time, and homework sessions. You could even set up a workstation for them in your home office so that you can share a productive space and give each other company. 

Maintaining Routines

The Benefits of Routines

Having a consistent routine is essential for healthy development, as it teaches kids how to balance tasks and manage their time wisely. It creates a sense of normalcy and reminds them that they are in a secure environment, which is especially critical in this time of uncertainty. Kids of all ages, including teenagers, will benefit from a predictable schedule.

How to Establish a New Routine

Building a schedule similar to what your child would expect from a normal school year can make it easier for them to adjust. Working to mimic getting up, eating meals, starting lessons, doing homework, and going to bed around the same time each day.

If possible, trying to stick to the routine most weekdays is best, but being flexible will be helpful in order to accommodate unusual circumstances and infrequent occurrences, such as virtual playdates and doctor’s appointments. Remember to schedule breaks often to allow your child to rest and recharge.

Managing Stress & Behavioral Issues

Acknowledge Their Feelings

Everyone is reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic differently. It’s important to create a safe and accepting environment for your child to express themselves. It is encouraged that you listen to them when they share their concerns. Rather than telling them not to worry, acknowledge and validate their feelings.

The stress and dissatisfaction of putting life on hold can build up over time, so it isn’t unusual for kids to be grumpy and on edge. If you are quarantining at home, they’re likely upset about being unable to see friends and extended family, so let them know that you understand.

No doubt everyone misses being around friends as well, but you can get through it together as a family. In-person play dates might be inadvisable, but arranging virtual hangouts to help them connect with close friends, cousins, and grandparents can be invaluable.

Be Patient & Compassionate

family therapyAs you deal with behavioral issues, practicing patience and compassion can go a long way. Many kids are feeling confused and helpless right now. Supporting your child’s physical and mental wellbeing is a positive approach.

It is encouraged to give them some extra one-on-one attention and affection, and express your love more often. Planning to spend a lot of time together and organize family activities like game nights and crafts can be nourishing to your relationship. It’s much easier to weather strange circumstances in a loving home.

Find Ways to Distract Them

Redirection can be an excellent tactic for preventing poor behavior. When your little one gets fidgety at the dinner table or before bed, distract them with a game or song. Filling your child’s time with fun activities can help keep their mind off of stress or boredom. If their behavior worsens or begins to affect relationships, family therapy can help you address these issues and find methods for your child to channel their emotions in healthier ways.

Looking After Yourself

This is a challenging time for children, but parents need to take care of themselves as well. Taking care of your mental and physical health is important. Be gentle with yourself and your partner, and try not to place too much pressure on yourselves. Take breaks when the stress starts to build and find simple ways to relax.

Breathing exercises, yoga, and hobbies like knitting provide excellent ways to wind down. If you need assistance, attending individual or family therapy sessions could teach new ways to manage stress. Keep up with exercise, sleep, and balanced meals. A healthy parent is much more prepared to help their child through tough times.

 

For families in Juneau, AK, COVID-19 has presented unique and unfamiliar challenges. Family therapy with Colleen Torrence MEd, LPC, will help you and your loved ones navigate these uncertain times and bring your family closer together. As an experienced therapist, Colleen specializes in trauma and abuse counseling, family counseling, and child and adolescent therapy. She strives to create a welcoming, judgment-free environment where families feel comfortable speaking openly and working towards healthy solutions. Learn more about her services online, or call (907) 789-9212 to schedule your first session.

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